LEGAL DEPARTMENT
City Attorney, Karen Kirkpatrick, kkirkpatrick@ci.tumwater.wa.us
Beth Kemph, Legal Assistant, bkemph@ci.tumwater.wa.us
360-754-4121

The legal department is staffed with a city attorney, a legal assistant and a part-time contract prosecutor who assists with municipal prosecution. Beth Kemph is the department's legal assistant.

The city prosecutor position is filled by Thurston County.

The city attorney reports directly to the mayor but also has a direct attorney/client relationship with the city council and city staff.

The city attorney’s office provides legal support to the city council, mayor, city administrator and all departments of the city. The major work load of the office involves:

• Reviewing, drafting and negotiating contracts to which the city is a party
• Drafting and reviewing proposed legislative enactments of the city council, i.e., ordinances, resolutions and proclamations
• Representing the city in all litigation to which the city is a party. Regarding civil damage litigation where the city is a defendant, lead attorney status is typically with insurance counsel, but the city attorney is still very much involved
• Municipal prosecution - all misdemeanor violations (traffic and criminal) are prosecuted by the contract prosecutor
• Providing both formal (in the form of written legal opinions) and informal legal advice to the city council, mayor, city administrator and departments of the city

Questions or concerns regarding legal aspects of city government can be addressed by telephoning the legal department at (360) 754-4121.

Frequently Asked Questions
Quarterly Reports
Legal Dept. Organizational Chart
Attorney General Advisory Memorandum: Avoiding Unconstitutional Takings of Private Property

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Updated: March 3, 2010